Worcester, MA Garage & Yard Sales: Garage Sale Permits (2026)

Worcester County has no role in garage sale permitting because county government was abolished in 1998. The City of Worcester does not require permits for occasional residential yard or garage sales under its Revised Ordinances, though frequency limits apply (see frequency-limits entry). Several Worcester County municipalities require free or low-cost permits or registration with the Town Clerk or Police Department — examples include Shrewsbury, Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, and Grafton — typically free or $5-$10 for a 2-day event. Sign rules are universally strict: placement only on the sale property, no signs on public utility poles, traffic signs, or state road rights-of-way (MassDOT prohibits per 700 CMR 11.00). Most Worcester County towns limit the number of signs (often 2-3) and require removal within 24 hours of sale end. MGL c. 64H (sales tax) does not require casual household-good sales to collect sales tax, but sales that become commercial may trigger sales/use tax registration and income reporting to DOR. Estate sales, moving sales, and multi-family yard sales generally receive the same treatment as garage sales under municipal bylaws.